Liberi Reader

I recommend the 'Red Tongue Sour'. They say it's made like how the Sami do.

Are you mad, Mane? Ordering cocktails at a winery? We'll be laughed out of here!

*ahem* Didn't we taste a similar looking one when we were in Columbia last month?

I just wanted to reminisce about our honeymoon a little, tesoro.

(Remember our undercover classes at the police academy. Sometimes we have to be conspicuous to cover the others.)

(The judge needs more time to clear bystanders from here.)

(...Are you sure you didn't pull that just because you wanted to drink it?)

I swear, tesoro!

Ssh..! Softer, Mane!

I thought his Nuova Volsinii would be much more lenient.

Signorina, why not have a drink on me? A cocktail, of course.

Let's just say it's a local custom.

(Mane, he's here...)

Signore, thank you for the generosity, but it's not your place to offer my—

I think there's been a misunderstanding. My offer was not directed at you, officer.

—!

It's been a while, Lavinia.

Care for a drink? You've been standing in that dim corner for a long while.

I was just wondering how long it'd take before you'd pay and leave.

I don't have to worry about the bill here. The Saluzzos never treat their important guests poorly.

Besides, Alberto informed all of his wineries in advance. 'Feel free to taste the wines as you please', were his words.

I never knew you were on such cordial terms with the Saluzzos. What are you and Alberto doing together? Surely you can't be working as a bartender here?

...

As laid-back as ever, Venezia senior.

Do your men know their don is currently sitting in an ordinary restaurant right now, while they're waiting to welcome him at the port?

I just missed the food here. I didn't expect you'd be the first face to greet me.

Haha. Come, have a seat, my friend.

This restaurant isn't as ordinary as you think. I found the chef here from Sicilia. Makes the most authentic bolognese, you should try some.

The younger ones love talking about the future, which isn't a bad thing. However, some traditions shouldn't be abandoned, especially when it comes to Siracusan cuisine.

Anyone who tried innovating a new Saluzzo wine making method would surely be buried six feet under in the vineyard for fertilizer.

Hmph. That's right.

This bottle of noble rot wine is the first of our new collection. Take it as a welcome gift.

Hm... 1069. A good year.

I can find all of Saluzzo Vino's vintages and subsidiary brands on my rack, but it's been a long time since I've received a bottle from you personally...

We haven't been in contact much, Alberto.

Just a decade.

The Morettis ignored the Dodici Famiglie's ban on competing with the other famiglie to monopolize the Orignium trade, and recklessly tried to wipe us out...

Famiglia Venezia stepped in as a mediator back then, you are certainly worthy of our respect.

'Recklessly tried to wipe us out'—Maybe I'm just old and my memory's failing me...

But as I recall, it was the Morettis who vanished from Siracusa.

You swallowed all their Originium businesses, secured your seat in the Grey Hall, and that granted the Saluzzos the current status in Siracusa today.

I'm sure you've experienced more like this than I have.

Our sparse communication has been a boon to us. No one knows what Signora Sicilia would think of our meeting here.

Really?

She banned Carnevale herself, and yet it's come back from the dead... perhaps she is much more tolerant of Siracusa than we or everyone else in the Grey Hall could imagine.

Hmph.

A brand new city celebrating one of the oldest festivals. Surely no one would miss attending?

The young ones at city hall are simply doing this to declare that Siracusa will change inside-out... from here.

I just thought of the late Bernardo.

...A self-righteous fool.

Not very nice to badmouth a friend who's no longer here.

I saw trucks going in and out while the police directed traffic, and I couldn't even tell a single family member from the unmasked pedestrians...

Even the weather here is better than the other Siracusan cities.

To be honest, the famiglie might not disappear the way Bernardo wanted... but I was finding it hard to believe this was still a Siracusan city until you showed up.

The Venezias have integrated into the city well, senior.

From the city plate's construction work to the founding of the new government, your famiglia never showed up even once. Then Nuova Volsinii officially started operating, and the Venezias went quickly to work.

Anton was in charge of all that.

Your son-in-law is indeed quite capable.

Venezia Trucking has never flouted any of the New Urban Management Act rules, and even works with city hall to investigate illegal acts by the other famiglie.

The younger ones are always more eager to get with the times than we are.

But time is unable to sweep the famiglie's stain away. You know better than me what your vehicle company is doing under the table.

I suppose that's enough gossip for today. Alberto, I've been wondering when you'd finally start talking about the business at hand.

You knew what I was going to talk about?

Not many new stories in Siracusa these days.

No matter where you heard it from or whatever it is you're planning, this old man might not be able to do much.

Be it the city hall or Anton, be it a threat or offer to collaborate, I have nothing to do with it all.

Times have changed. I can't say if I like it or not, but I definitely can't stop progress. So I thought, why not leave it to the younger generation instead.

Not afraid they would screw up?

Why not wait and see?

The Venezias climbed to our current position in just three generations, and it was not because of the older generations sticking with their views.

We have Vulpos, Perros, and Lupos with no blood relations. It is precisely because we accept anyone with ideas with open arms that we are what we are today.

What I'm doing now is no different than what the old don did.

Hmph.

I came here just to enjoy the festival—but I'm happy you were the first person I saw.

But old men like us ultimately need to act with decency.

'Decency'. I see it's still a favorite in your dictionary.

That is why we Venezias have managed to stick together to this day.

The famiglia's decency frames what we should do or can't do. What say you, Alberto?

Anyone else and I would have called beastshit. But you—

I can only admit that it's 'truly valuable in Siracusa'.

Mind getting me some spaghetti bolognese?

You'd best open this noble wine now instead of bringing it back to Montelupe.

I'm craving some myself after seeing you enjoy your meal.

After all, I fear a chance for a leisurely meal like this will be quite rare in future.

—!

Is that you, Luchino?

Signor Umberto?

Oh, it's you, Anna...

Yes, I'm here to collect the suit I ordered. I formally start at city hall tomorrow!

Ah, is Luchino out?

He... had something to do.

Wait here while I get your suit.

How is it?

It, it fits perfectly! Grazie mille!

No need, you paid me for this.

But you used an even better material for it...

You waited so long for city hall to get back to you, and worked hard for the position too. Of course you deserve a better suit.

Treat it as a greeting gift from us when we moved here. Neighbors should take care of each other.

We're so lucky to have you as our tailor, Signore.

Right, I know Luchino hates sitting around, and I wanted to give him this ticket to the Carnevale show contest rehearsals. It's a good seat.

Could you give it to him for me?

...

Haha, everyone knows you only want the best for the boy, but sometimes it's good to let him live a little.

He should enjoy his life sometimes, right?

...Grazie, I'll pass it on to him.

I gotta tell you, your boy has a keen eye.

When I was here last month queuing for measurements, he was excitedly telling me which customers were important government officials or famiglia guys.

He's so proud you're making clothes for those high-ups.

A clever boy indeed. But most of our customers—most people who look for a tailor are actually just regular civilians.

It's rare they get a reason to come here. A rare job opportunity, a beautiful wedding, or even a dignified funeral.

Everyone deserves the decency of tailoring, and we at Tailor de Montano hope to operate for a long time on this basis.

I admire you, Signor Umberto. I'm sure Luchino will be an excellent tailor in future with a great teacher like you.

...You look haggard, signore. Need help?

Just age getting to me. Not getting enough rest lately.

Anna, tomorrow's your first day at work. Your brand new suit won't do all the work of impressing your colleagues. Have an early rest... Oh, feel free to get it ironed here anytime.

I... will close early today and get some rest.

Alright. Ciao, Signor Umberto. Find us anytime if you need anything.

...

I know there's no cause to contact you, but this is the only way I have left.

Luchino's been missing for a whole day. I can't go to the police, I'm afraid that the boy might have gotten himself mixed up in some mob matter—

If you're listening, I beg of you—Help me find him... He's the only thing this old man is concerned about... Please, Signora Venezia.

Your Honor, Demetri is gone. Should we pack up as well?

Just hold on.

Your face is kinda red, did you drink too much...?

Tell the others to continue tracking the vehicle responsible for the accident while we continue investigating the suspects.

It'll be hard, pinning someone down this way...

Indeed. Demetri, Alberto, and a 'missing driver'... We have many suspects, but I think there are other ulterior motives behind this incident.

Ever since Nuova Volsinii was founded, there have been many eyes on us—

Like that customer who hasn't left yet.

So that's why you didn't call it a day yet...

Judge Lavinia, yes?

...

To be honest, your actions today—and your scatterbrained officers are giving me a headache.

I had planned to pry any interesting info from talkative drunkards here, but it turns out—

You're the only one left I can count on.

How do you know my name, and—

Why don't you have a seat first?

Sorry, I had no intentions to eavesdrop on your conversation earlier. But a judge and a famiglia don? A classic combination not to be missed.

What can I say? I don't know if a good hearing really helps.

Ah, right. Ingrid—my name.

Now we're even.